Samsung’s updated SmartThings app adds SmartThings Now, a set of contextual cards and suggested actions at the top of the Home tab. The redesign borrows the glanceable, card-based feel of Galaxy Now Brief, but the two are separate features. Samsung also announced Matter 1.6 support and direct local control for supported phone-and-hub setups.
What is new in the SmartThings app?
Samsung announced the update on October 5, 2026. Its main addition, SmartThings Now, puts information and suggested actions at the top of the app’s Home tab. Samsung says the cards use context and usage patterns to surface relevant information; its examples illustrate intended capabilities, not independent hands-on test results. Samsung’s U.S. announcement
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Cards that suggest a next step
- If a Family Care member has had no device activity for an extended period, a caregiver may see a card offering options to check in or call.
- Near a pre-registered home location, SmartThings Now may suggest turning on lights and air purifiers, then offer to help make those actions a routine.
- A card can use the previous week’s activity to suggest changes to Home tab Favorites. A Routine Insight card lets users review recent routine activity.
A redesigned Home tab
The update also reorganizes dashboards, device cards and service cards, with service cards using space more efficiently. A Live Wallpaper changes through the day, while a Floating Bar places frequently used controls at the bottom of the screen for easier reach on larger phones. Samsung says the bar follows the latest One UI design direction.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe updated Home tab is intended for mobile devices, Samsung TVs, Family Hub products, appliances with 7- or 9-inch screens and Windows devices, but availability depends on device, model, region and software schedule. The redesign does not require buying a SmartThings Station.
#1 Best Overall
- Powered by SmartThings: Connect, monitor, and automate your home through the SmartThings app. Build a reliable, unified smart home using Samsung's proven ecosystem
- Matter + Zigbee Smart Home Hub: Supports the newest Matter standard plus Zigbee for lighting, sensors, plugs, switches, thermostats, and more - thousands of compatible devices. PLEASE NOTE: Z-Wave not supported
- Easy Setup with Wi-Fi or Ethernet: Get started in minutes using Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet connection for apartments, houses, and expanding smart home systems - Z-Wave not supported
- Automations That Work for You: Create custom routines for security, lighting, comfort, and energy savings. Many local automations continue working even if your internet goes offline
- Wide Device Compatibility: Connect compatible smart devices from Aeotec and many other brands to build a unified system for lighting, voice control, energy management, and climate settings
How SmartThings Now differs from Galaxy Now Brief
SmartThings Now is a feature inside the SmartThings Home tab. Galaxy Now Brief is a separate personalized briefing service. The comparison is visual: both can surface glanceable, contextual information, but they have distinct names and availability.
In an April 2026 announcement, Samsung described SmartThings information appearing in Galaxy Now Brief under areas including Home Security, Family Care and Pet Care, alongside existing Home Insight, Energy and Sleep Environment Report features. Examples included device status and energy use, previous-night sleep status, security information based on locks, door sensors and security mode, family activity, and dog-walking information. Samsung said the Now Brief experience would expand in phases to supported TVs and Family Hub refrigerators; availability depends on model, region and software updates, and some items require SmartThings devices to be registered and services activated. Samsung’s Global Newsroom announcement
Rank #2
![SmartThings Hub 3rd Generation [GP-U999SJVLGDA] Smart Home Automation Hub Home Monitoring Smart Devices - Alexa Google Home Compatible - Zigbee, Z-Wave, Cloud to Cloud Protocols – White](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21hChu0ounL._SL160_.jpg)
- Monitor and control compatible devices in your home using a single smartphone app for your phone
- Automate connected devices in your home and set them to turn on or off when doors are opened, people come and go, and much more
- Works with a wide range of smartphone compatible products
Can SmartThings control devices when the internet is down?
Samsung says a phone and a supported SmartThings hub on the same Wi-Fi network can communicate directly for local control, without routing that control through the cloud. The app switches between local control and cloud-based remote control depending on whether the phone is at home or away. This is not a promise that every device or SmartThings function will work without internet: the stated setup requires supported hardware and the same local Wi-Fi network.
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Samsung reports that local control was approximately 30% faster than cloud-based control in its own controlled tests. That is a Samsung estimate, not a universal performance guarantee; results may vary by environment. The company lists SmartThings Station and SmartThings V2, V3 or V4 hubs, plus hub-enabled Samsung TVs and Family Hub refrigerators, for the feature with the SmartThings app on Android and iOS. Samsung’s U.S. announcement
Rank #3
- LOCAL PROCESSING FOR INSTANT RESPONSE: The Hubitat Elevation C-8 Pro runs automations directly on the hub, not on remote servers, so lights, locks, thermostats, and routines keep working even when your internet goes down; this local-first architecture delivers near-instant response to every trigger without relying on remote servers to process commands; compatible with 1,000+ devices across 100+ brands, and device data stays at home for enhanced privacy
- WORKS WITH ALEXA, GOOGLE HOME, AND APPLE HOMEKIT: Connect your preferred voice assistant and start controlling your smart home from day 1; the C-8 Pro is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit, so your existing ecosystem works alongside the hub without compromise; Ring camera integration adds a concrete layer of security awareness; approachable setup is supported by step-by-step documentation and an active online community ready to guide you through every stage
- MULTI-PROTOCOL SUPPORT WITH EXTENDED RANGE: A single hub covers Matter 1.5, Z-Wave 800 Series with Long Range, Zigbee 3.0, and Bluetooth, so existing devices stay compatible without extra bridges or adapters; 800 Series Z-Wave and Zigbee 3.0 deliver improved reliability and mesh stability, backed by Z-Wave Alliance membership; 2 dedicated external antennas, one for Z-Wave and one for Zigbee, extend wireless reach in larger homes and device-dense environments where signal consistency is critical
- AI-ASSISTED AUTOMATION AND ADVANCED RULE ENGINE: The AI-assisted routine builder suggests and builds automations based on your connected devices, no programming required; Rule Machine enables multi-condition logic across lighting scenes, geofenced arrivals, layered security responses, and whole-home scheduling; when your family arrives after dark, the hub can unlock the door, activate pathway lights, and adjust the thermostat, turning complex sequences into reliable hands-free routines
- NO SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED AND CONTINUOUS UPDATES: Full platform functionality needs no recurring subscription; every automation, integration, and advanced feature is available from setup; continuous platform updates since 2018 have expanded compatibility without requiring new hardware; an active community of tech-savvy homeowners and DIY smart home builders shares custom apps, drivers, and automation blueprints for ongoing value; compact at 3.23 x 2.95 x 0.67 in and just 0.16 lb, it fits anywhere
For devices that have gone offline, Samsung also describes an Offline Device Diagnostics page that can update network information across registered devices to help restore them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Matter 1.6 support adds
The update adds support for four Matter 1.6 device categories. The category listing does not guarantee that every product in a category works with every SmartThings hub, so check compatibility for the exact model and hub before buying.
Rank #4
- Multi-Protocol Smart Hub with Matter Bridge – The M100 is a versatile smart hub compatible with Thread devices and Aqara Zigbee (** Not third-party Zigbee devices), supporting up to 20 Aqara Zigbee devices and 20 Thread devices. As a Matter Bridge, it connects Aqara Zigbee products to other smart home ecosystems, compatible with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Home Assistant, etc. Note: Use a 5V⎓0.5A power adapter (not included) and keep the product continuously powered during use.
- Advanced Matter Bridging for Seamless Smart Home Integration – The M100 enables Aqara’s unique features, such as facial recognition and complex automation, to work across Home Assistant and other Matter ecosystems. Expand your smart home with Aqara or third-party Matter devices (requires a Matter-enabled hub). Currently supports lights, thermostats, plugs, switches, buttons, and various sensors (motion, light, door/window, temperature/humidity), with more devices to be added in the future.
- Local Automation for Reliable Performance – Supports local execution of automations for Zigbee and Matter devices, ensuring smooth operation even without Wi-Fi or cloud access. Enjoy millisecond-level response times for a more stable and reliable smart home experience. (Some automation, such as cloud push notification, will still require the cloud connection to be executed.)
- Flexible Power & Small Size – Features a universal USB-A port for power and data, allowing connection to power banks, wall outlets, PCs, or routers for a simple and quick setup. The Hub M100's shaft can be adjusted within a 210-degree range, making its placement extremely flexible.
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 6 for Faster & Security—This product supports a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 6 wireless network connection, which enables more efficient connections with advanced WPA3 security. Wi-Fi 6 ensures smoother performance even in high-traffic environments, allowing multiple devices to connect without compromising speed or reliability. Note: To ensure a stable connection, place the Hub M100 between 6 to 19 feet from the router.
| Matter category | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Energy meters | Real-time power monitoring |
| Closures | Specialized door and gate types |
| Irrigation devices | Devices such as sprinklers |
| Soil sensors | Ground conditions |
Samsung says the update also improves stability and Group Control performance. To decide whether a Matter device fits your setup, verify its exact-model compatibility, the hub requirements, whether you need local operation or remote access, and availability for your region and software version. A SmartThings Station is one supported local-control hub option, not a requirement for the Home-tab redesign.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWhat Samsung’s announcement establishes
Samsung says SmartThings has 470 million registered users and works with more than 430 certified brands worldwide. Those are company-reported platform figures, not independent measurements. Samsung executive Jaeyeon Jung described the update as a move toward delivering “relevant information and controls at the right time.” SmartThings blog
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